Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
The Boscombe Valley Mystery
"Praysitdownonthesofa,"saidHolmesgently. "Youhadmynote?"
"Yes,thelodge-keeperbroughtitup. Yousaidthatyouwishedtoseemeheretoavoidscandal."
"IthoughtpeoplewouldtalkifIwenttotheHall."
"Andwhydidyouwishtoseeme?" Helookedacrossatmycompanionwithdespairinhiswearyeyes,asthoughhisquestionwasalreadyanswered.
"Yes,"saidHolmes,answeringthelookratherthanthewords. "Itisso. IknowallaboutMcCarthy."
Theoldmansankhisfaceinhishands. "Godhelpme!"hecried. "ButIwouldnothavelettheyoungmancometoharm. IgiveyoumywordthatIwouldhavespokenoutifitwentagainsthimattheAssizes."
"Iamgladtohearyousayso,"saidHolmesgravely.
"Iwouldhavespokennowhaditnotbeenformydeargirl. Itwouldbreakherheart—itwillbreakherheartwhenshehearsthatIamarrested."
"Itmaynotcometothat,"saidHolmes.
"What?"
"Iamnoofficialagent. Iunderstandthatitwasyourdaughterwhorequiredmypresencehere,andIamactinginherinterests. YoungMcCarthymustbegotoff,however."
"Iamadyingman,"saidoldTurner. "Ihavehaddiabetesforyears. MydoctorsaysitisaquestionwhetherIshallliveamonth. YetIwouldratherdieundermyownroofthaninajail."